Governor Tina Kotek announced today her intention to bring identified lands into Metro’s Urban Growth Boundary near Hillsboro to position the State to earn billions of dollars in semiconductor investments.    

This action would not undo Oregon’s land use system. Instead, it would act upon the temporary authority given to the Governor through Senate Bill 4’s bipartisan legislation, as well as recommendations from the Oregon Semiconductor Competitiveness Task Force.  

The Governor is taking a necessary step to help position Oregon to compete for billions of dollars in semiconductor investments, secure the State’s economic future for the next 5 to 10 years, and leverage Oregon’s existing leadership in semiconductor innovation to support national security. 

“The Governor’s decision to bring land into the urban growth boundary is an essential first step to support the growth and expansion of this industry, and capture strategic opportunities created by the $52 billion in federal funds made available through the CHIPS & Science Act,” said Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway.  

Oregon CHIPS Act  

The Oregon CHIPS Act (SB4), which was extensively supported by both Democrats and Republicans in the 2023 Oregon Legislature, gave the Governor temporary authority to bring land into urban growth boundaries to help address the lack of industrial land supply needed to recruit and retain semiconductor manufacturers and suppliers.   

During the legislative process, key lands adjacent to the Hillsboro Industrial Area were specifically identified as eligible for consideration by the Governor’s authority. The area showed extreme potential due in part to its immediate adjacency to existing semiconductor cluster and the City of Hillsboro’s proven record of delivering the sites and infrastructure needed for this industry.   

Oregon’s robust semiconductor industry has centered its activity in Hillsboro for the last quarter of a century. Anchored by Intel, Hillsboro has experienced a steady increase of semiconductor equipment suppliers and manufacturers who continue to expand and create jobs of diverse skill and education levels.   

After carefully looking at potential options both inside and outside the urban growth boundary, a 1,700 acre area adjacent to North Hillsboro was identified as the most viable and attractive option for medium to large scale semiconductor sites.   

To support the State’s effort to secure billions of federal dollars and further Oregon’s economic prosperity goals, the City, in partnership with Washington County, Clean Water Services, Portland General Electric and the Oregon Department of Transportation, began preliminary planning for the growth and development of the lands identified in Senate Bill 4.   

The 1,700 gross acre (about 1,300 usable acres) area, known as the Hillsboro Technology Park Site, is the key to state and federal efforts and could efficiently provide industry-scale infrastructure and critically needed land for the supply chain required to support the existing industry base, as well as potential large campuses.   

The federal government agrees.   

In September 2023, the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded the City of Hillsboro a $300,000 EDA Federal Grant to support planning for land and infrastructure in the Hillsboro Technology Park Site.  

The Governor’s action — to bring in 20% of the studied land acreage into the urban growth boundary — begins to address one of Oregon’s last remaining hurdles as identified by the Oregon Semiconductor Competitiveness Task Force.  

Land supply and the availability of infrastructure continues to be a constraining factor for cities across the state — and especially the Metro region. Adequately located sites with infrastructure are essential for the state to compete for — and successfully land — new investments as well as existing companies' expansions in Oregon.  

“This land is needed not only for the national opportunities that may be coming our way with the National Semiconductor Technology Center, but also the current and anticipated needs of our advanced manufacturing designers, innovators, and key supply chain,” Callaway said.  

Upcoming Public Meeting 

Governor Kotek’s Office, Washington County, and the City of Hillsboro will hold a public meeting for community members to learn more about the Governor’s proposed determination to bring identified lands into the urban growth boundary near Hillsboro, Oregon.  

When: Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 6 – 9 pm  

Where:  
Hillsboro Civic Center,  
Conference Room 113B&C  
150 East Main Street 
Hillsboro, OR 97123  

Draft materials and a map of the proposed acreage will be made available one week before the meeting online on Oregon Business Development Department’s (OBDD) semiconductor website: www.oregon.gov/biz/programs/semiconductor_chips 

Public comment will be received at the meeting. Written public comment will be accepted beginning October 3, 2024, and twenty (20) days following the meeting on October 10, 2024. The deadline for public comment submittal following the public meeting is October 30, 2024, at 5pm.  

Please direct written statements to the Governor’s Office via email at Oregon.CHIPS@oregon.gov or by USPS to 900 Court Street Suite 255 Salem, OR 97301. 

Those who plan to speak in person will be able to sign up on the day of the meeting. Details for signing up to testify virtually will be provided on the OBDD website by October 3, 2024. 

Governor's Office: 

• Public Meeting Notice 

Related Articles:

• Hillsboro Makes a Bid for Federal Workforce Funding 
• Oregon Enters the Hunt for a National Semiconductor Technology Center Designation 
• Intel Announces Plans to Invest $36 Billion in Hillsboro
• “Seizing Oregon’s Opportunity”: Hillsboro’s Role in Semiconductor Industry Expansion
• Hillsboro Awarded $1.5 Million to Establish Oregon Semiconductor Center of Innovation Excellence

• Oregon’s Bold Step to Support the Semiconductor Industry & Secure Federal Funding